Evaluation of MUAC as a tool for assessing nutritional status during pregnancy (>20 weeks of gestation) in Delhi India

  • Megha Suresh Lady Irwin College
  • Swati Jain Lady Irwin College
  • Neena Bhatia Kaul Lady Irwin college
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26596/wn.202112165-72
Keywords: MUAC, Blood Pressure, Pregnancy, Gestation, anthropometry, BMI

Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess the usefulness of MUAC as a screening tool to assess nutritional status during pregnancy (>20 weeks).  Pregnant women (>20 weeks of gestation, n=100) were enrolled from tertiary care ANC clinics in urban areas of Delhi. Data on socio-demographic profile was collected using pre-tested questionnaires. The blood pressure and anthropometric parameters (weight, height and MUAC) were recorded. The mean height, weight and MUAC of pregnant women were 152.15 ± 4.93cm, 56.7 ± 6.7Kgs and 25.5 ± 2.60cm respectively. Weight gain between trimesters and overall weight gain showed no correlation with blood pressure. Maternal weight was positively correlated with MUAC (p=0.00), SBP (p=0.006) and DBP (p=0.02). Maternal height was negatively correlated with MUAC (p=0.012). BMI and MUAC showed a significantly positive correlation (p=0.00), which indicates the versatility of this tool. However, no association was observed between MUAC and blood pressure during pregnancy in the present study.

Published
2021-03-31
Issue
Vol 12 No 1 (2021)
Section
Original research
Copyright (c) 2021 Megha Suresh, Swati Jain, Neena Bhatia Kaul

Authors retain all copyrights. In making a submission to World Nutrition, they are certifying that all material is theirs except quotations, as indicated, and that they have obtained permission for any photos, tables, or graphics taken from other publications or websites.